Tom Shafnisky, Master Electrician
To best serve our clients, Tom is a Master Electrician dedicated to his profession. Tom keeps himself and his staff current with electrical codes and new trends in the field through constant training and memberships in organizations like Lehigh Valley Builder’s Association, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, as well as many Occupational Advisory and Local Advisory Committees.
Tom is a member of the Electrical Contractors of the Lehigh Valley, where he has been the President for the last 6 years. Tom also works closely with the local Career Institute of Technology (CIT) where he serves as a substitute teacher and mentor to aspiring electricians. Because of this relationship Tom is fortunate to be able to hire students from the co-op program while they are still in high school; many of whom have eventually graduated and stayed with his company for a number of years. In 2012 Tom was awarded the Friend of Education Award for his work with the CIT.
When he is not working, Tom enjoys training in martial arts, working with his church’s youth group and spending time with his wife and 4 young daughters. Some of his favorite activities include supporting his daughters at dance, martial arts and gymnastic events.
Getting Started
As a sophomore at Notre Dame High School, I was able to register to attend Easton Vo-Tech School on Kesslersville Road. At that time, I wanted to be in the Electronics Class. My hope was to fix televisions, VCR’s and other electronic items…can you believe at that time, VCRs were popular! The teacher was very good, and I had a lot of respect for Mr. Dinaro, but I didn’t have the maturity needed for that class and I knew it was time to move on.
When I looked to transfer from the electronics class, I thought it made sense to enroll in the Culinary Arts class because my mom owned The Front Porch in Nazareth. It was a small-town bar & kitchen that I was working in after school. Unfortunately, the class was full at that time. My advisor recommended joining Electrical Construction. He told me that he didn’t know what they teach in there, but the name sounds similar to the Electronics Class I was looking to leave. So, that is exactly what I did.
Shortly after entering Mr. Chuck Snyder’s class, we were working on installing lights on the entrance sign to the school off Kesslersville Road. We dug a trench, installed underground conduit, pulled the wires, and made all of the terminations. After the job was completed one of the students was instructed to turn the power on and there it was…. the lights came on!
It was at that moment that I felt like it was such an accomplishment to have been a part of that! I think what impressed me the most was that by the work of our crew, when someone was driving down that dark road, they would be able to find the school’s entrance easier. I was hooked!
In 1985, the school year before I would graduate, I lost my mom. We sold the bar & restaurant and moved to Allentown. I ended up graduating from Dieruff High School in 1987. I then worked in the kitchen at some local restaurants trying to figure out how to get my start in my career.
I answered an ad in the local newspaper (Long before the internet!) for a construction position at a local billboard company, Adams Outdoor Advertising. I arrived at the interview and filled out a job application where I listed my schooling in the electrical class. I was so scrawny and I’m pretty sure the operations manager looked at me and decided I would never be able to do the work that was required to install billboard panels. For the record, they are 14-feet tall and when all connected, 48-feet long! All made from wood – it was heavy!
After three weeks I received a call From Bob Gelsinger, the operations manager at Adams at that time. He asked me about my electrical experience and explained that their electrician was moving on and that they were looking for someone to take his place. He asked if I was interested in the position. Of course, I was interested!
I started working at Adams Outdoor Advertising located in Bethlehem, PA. Adams Outdoor owns and maintains most of the billboards along our highways and is a large national company. Shortly after I was hired and trained, I was made the company electrician. I oversaw roughly 200 billboard locations from as far East as New Village, New Jersey to Windsor Township by Cabela’s. I went as far south as Sellersville and up north to Stroudsburg. As an Adams employee I learned a lot about how a successful company was run.
As years went by, my friends and family would ask me to do small electrical projects around their homes. The projects continued to get larger and larger. I had never intended to start my own business, but people talk, and word got around. I showed up early and kept to any deadlines. The fact that I cleaned up afterwards left a huge impression too!
Bob always knew of my business and was very supportive of me as I worked nights and weekends to establish a customer base. I worked for Adams Outdoor for seven years!
Just after my 25th birthday, I was on the phone with a friend who asked me how I was doing and if I was busy at work. Tim, my friend, must have heard something in my voice and asked me what was wrong. I told him that nothing was wrong, I was just bored. What he said next changed the course of my professional life. He asked me when I was going to do it. When was I going to leave my comfort zone and my guaranteed paycheck to start my own business? As much as that question scared me to death, I also felt invigorated and motivated at the same time.
In 1988, I decided it was time to leave my safety net and go out on my own and that, as they say, is how it all began!
Wendy, Office Manager
Wendy is our office manager. She brings with her over 23 years of experience in running local offices, with the last 4 years being here at Shafnisky Electric Inc.
She and her husband will be married 32 years in July. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren are her world and keep her very busy when she is not taking care of her second family here at Shafnisky Electric. She counts the days until summer every year, as she does not like winter at all and loves going to Ocean City, Maryland in the summer.
Jenna, Office Assistant
When you call the offices at Shafnisky Electric Inc., chances are you will end up speaking with Jenna. Jenna has been with Shafnisky Electric Inc. for just over a year. Prior to joining our team she was a part time receptionist at a local contracting business. Jenna has a degree in criminal justice from Northampton Community College.
When she is not in the office, Jenna enjoys exploring the outdoors and finding deals at area flea markets. She also enjoys reading and watching movies.
Don, Electrical Foreman
Don has been married to his wife for 26 years. They have 1 daughter and 3 grandchildren who live in Massachusetts. They have lived in Coopersburg for the last 22 years and are very active in their community and church. In their free time, they also enjoy spending time outdoors and at their cabin at Lake Wallenpaupack.
Don also loves to sing and has been singing and performing his whole life. He currently sings in his church choir and with a men’s group, “Summer Harmony” with whom he has performed at many functions including Iron Pigs and Philadelphia Phillies baseball games, which was a real treat for Don as he is also a Philadelphia sports enthusiast!
Dan, Lead Electrician
Dan lives in the Lehigh Valley with his wife. When he is not working he enjoys playing billiards. He shoots in a pool league and occasionally will enter a billiard tournament. He also enjoys riding snowmobiles and 4-wheelers and has many fond memories of trips to New York and Canada to do so. When Dan is at home, he likes cooking on his grill and smoker, especially pulled pork and BBQ ribs.
Lyutvi, Apprentice
Lyutvi was born and raised in Bulgaria before his family moved to the United States. Once in the Lehigh Valley, he attended Pen Argyl High School and the Career Institute of Technology. After graduation, he continued his education at Northampton Community College where he received his associate’s degree in the electrical construction field.
Lyutvi has been working in the electrical field for the last two years doing both residential and commercial work and has been with Shafnisky Electric Inc. for over a year.
In his free time, Lyutvi enjoys working on cars, watching videos of cars, looking at pictures of cars and anything else related to cars.
Dave
Dave has over 15 years of experience in many aspects of the electrical field.
He has worked in new residential construction, troubleshooting and repair, service work and commercial electric. A lot of his experience specializes in old work electric – rewiring existing homes, renovation & addition projects as well as service changes and upgrades of all types.
When he is not working, Dave enjoys spending as much time as he can with his daughters. Dave also enjoys the music of all types, outdoor activities and doing wood-working projects including cabinetry and furniture making.
Nicholas
Nick began electrical work at age 13 with his father and quickly developed a passion for it. He knew that doing electrical work was his calling. His co-workers have given him the nickname, Nicky Wires.
When Nick isn’t working, he loves spending time with his family.
Nick says that life is a journey, so we should make it the best and most productive one we can.
Christopher Thomas
Chris started doing electrical work with his grandfather, who had his own electrical business for 18 years, when he was just a kid. Chris graduated from Triangle Tech in 2008 with an associate degree in electrical maintenance and construction technology. While he is new to Shafnisky Electric, he has 10 years of experience in the electrical field. In his free time, Chris likes to enjoy the outdoors and build, repair and play guitar.
Mark Stewart
Mark has been working in the electrical field for 13 years, mainly in residential work and installing whole house generators. Before becoming an electrician, he worked for Honda/Acura for over 15 years as a master mechanic specializing in automotive electrical. In his spare time, Mark is a Cub Scout leader and soccer coach. He also enjoys camping, hunting, fishing and working on cars.
Robert Dennis
Bob has been in the electrical construction field his entire adult life. Most of the time, as a licensed, self-employed electrical contractor. His projects have included completely rewiring row homes and large stone farmhouses, commercial tenant improvements, light industrial installations, design and build for both a loft conversion and a 10,000 sq. ft. custom residence, as well as extensive troubleshooting and repair experience. He has been a member of IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors) for over a decade.
On his own time, Bob enjoys taking care of his family’s rural home, wondering the neighboring forest and maintaining a 1941 tractor. His TV is usually tuned to Sci Fi and he has a corresponding interest in astronomy. He likes to stay abreast of developments in the physical sciences, when he’s not digging into local history all while listening to good ol’ classic rock n roll.
Tim Rodger
Tim has over 10 years of experience with electrical work, starting when he was in high school. He has worked for Shafnisky Electric Inc. for about 6 years. Although he has experience in both residential and commercial, he prefers commercial work.
In Tim’s spare time, he likes to work on his Jeep and house.
Mike DeLucia
Mike is one of a new addition to the Shafnisky Electric, Inc. Team. He was born and raised in Catasauqua, graduating from Catasauqua High School. He then went on to Delaware Valley University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal justice administration and a minor in adolescent psychology. Mike has worked for several electrical contractors in the Lehigh Valley before landing here at SEI. Mike’s experience with commercial electrical projects will be advantageous in SEI’s growth. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family. Mike is recently engaged to his fiancé Nicole. Between his two teenage daughters and twin stepdaughters’ activities, Mike finds himself quite busy in the evenings. In the free time that he does have, he enjoys working out, playing basketball, and following Philadelphia based sports teams.